What are aspects in astrology

Aspects are the angles that planets form with each other in a birth chart. They don't describe what a planet is — they describe how two forces inside you get along.

“Mars square Saturn” sounds like a technical detail. In plain language it means: the impulse runs into an inner brake.

The five major aspects

• Conjunction (0°) — two forces merge and amplify each other. They cannot be told apart. The risk is a blind spot: it feels so obvious to the person that they don't see it in themselves.
• Opposition (180°) — two forces stand against each other. It feels like a pendulum, or like a choice that isn't really a choice. It is often projected onto other people.
• Square (90°) — tension that pushes you to act. It keeps coming back until something is done about it. It isn't bad — it is the engine.
• Trine (120°) — ease and natural talent. The risk is that it goes unused for that very reason: what comes by itself goes unnoticed.
• Sextile (60°) — an offer to cooperate. It works, but only if you take it up.

Tense does not mean bad

This is the most common misunderstanding. Easy aspects give comfort; tense ones give movement. A chart of nothing but trines describes someone to whom a lot comes easily — and who therefore has no reason to stretch.

Orb is the deviation from the exact angle. The smaller it is, the stronger the aspect.